B. Murli Kumar appointed as ECI expenditure observer for 8-Vellore PC

The decision of the ECI to rescind the election in Vellore PC was based on detection of a systematic design to influence voters in 8- Vellore Parliamentary Constituency during the election process.

The Election Commission of India has appointed Ex-DG IT Chennai Sh B Murli Kumar (ex IRS - 1983) as Special Expenditure Observer for 8-Vellore Parliamentary Constituency that goes to polls now on 5th August 2019. It may be recalled that on 14th April 2019, the Commission had made a recommendation to the Hon'ble President of India, under Article 324 of the Constitution read with Section 21 of the General Clauses Act, 1897, to rescind the Election to 8-Vellore Parliamentary Constituency, Tamil Nadu.

The decision of the ECI to rescind the election in Vellore PC was based on detection of a systematic design to influence voters in 8- Vellore Parliamentary Constituency during the election process.

Sh. B. Murali Kumar was DGIT(Inv.), Chennai when searching and seizure operations u/s 132 of the I.T. Act were carried out under his leadership and the IT team had made a cash seizure of Rs. 11.48 Cr. along with evidence in the form of computer printouts detailing proposed assembly segment, ward and booth wise money distribution suggesting a clear-cut pattern and design to induce the electors at a large scale across the Vellore Parliamentary Constituency. A total of Rs 61.76 crore were seized in various other search actions related to elections.

The then Spl Expenditure Observer Ms. Madhu Mahajan had recommended countermanding of Election to 8 Vellore PC as this organized way of inducement of voters had vitiated the electoral environment and the situation was not conducive for the conduct of free and fair elections.

(With Inputs from PIB)